Gate at Watson Lake sparks protests

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

The gate is up, and so is the dander of Bellvue-area residents and others who like to recreate at Watson Lake State Wildlife Area.

In early May, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, which owns the lake and surrounding property, installed a gate at the west end of the dam to keep vehicles from the east side of the lake. There was no public meeting or notification prior to the gate going up.

Now, angry Bellvue residents are launching a petition drive to change the DOW's mind. The petition asks that the gate be opened during the day and closed at night.

The DOW is citing resource damage as the reason for the gate. There has been an increase in littering, parties, gang activity and criminal activity over the past few years, officials stated, with most of the unwanted activity occurring at night.

"The focus is to manage the area for wildlife habitat," explained Watson Rearing Unit Manager Dave Smeltzer. "People started looking at it as a state park and picnic area rather than a wildlife area."

However, Bellvue native Judy Jackson and others do not think such a drastic action was needed. "Why punish everybody for a few people?" Jackson asked. "It's a one-of-a-kind place and should be shared with the community." Jackson added that it's not just Bellvue people who are upset.

Jackson agrees with other Bellvue residents that the gate should be open during the day and shut at night. Smeltzer said, however, it would take too much time to get vehicles out of the area at closing time.

Smeltzer emphasized that the gate "did not close Watson Lake." There are a few picnic shelters on the west side of the lake, and people can still access the east side on foot or on bicycle.

Jackson argued that point. "How many people can actually get there now?" she asked. People in wheelchairs now have to navigate about 700 feet of unpaved roadway before they reach the paved path. Jackson said she spoke with one couple who arrived at the gate and had to go separate ways. The wife was able to walk to the east side of the lake but the husband could not. Even many people who are not in wheelchairs can't walk that far, Jackson stated.

Shane Craig, game warden for the area, said the DOW will consider improvements across the dam if the unpaved road proves to be an obstacle for handicapped people.

Jackson also chafed at the DOW blocking access to the Cache la Poudre River that flows east of the lake. "It's the east side of the lake that's so glorious," Jackson said. She believes many who enjoy the area would volunteer to help with maintenance if that would keep the east side open to vehicles.

"We didn't do it lightly," Craig said of the gate installation. "Something needed to be done."

The DOW tried increasing law enforcement last year, but it didn't work. According to Craig, similar steps have been taken in other state wildlife areas where the habitat and wildlife were threatened.

Last summer, Craig conducted an informal poll among recreators at Watson Lake, explaining the problems and asking them how they would feel about a gate going up. Those polled voiced "overwhelming support" for the action, he said. "Once I explained the issues and what we're trying to achieve, the majority understood."

Expensive improvements were made at Watson Lake about six years ago, including paved paths, restrooms and two fishing piers for handicapped people. Great Outdoors Colorado money was used for some of those improvements, primarily the piers, according to Smeltzer. The restrooms and trails are on the east side of the lake; piers are located on both the west and east sides of the lake.

GOCO official Wally Piccone said that rules are different for local governments that use GOCO funds than for state agencies such as the DOW. The DOW is within its rights to shut down vehicle traffic to part of Watson Lake if that is needed to protect the resource, he stated.

Anyone interested in signing the Watson Lake petition may contact Jackson at 482-5091 or 227-8803. Petition forms have been placed at various places in LaPorte and Bellvue, including the Downtown LaPorte Dollar Store. People wanting to contact the DOW may call 472-4300.